Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8689388
    Abstract: A hand operated butterfly sponge mop or regular sponge mop with a unique disposable sponge assembly where the sponge is retained by ratchet teeth respectively engaging a notch on a pair of notched collars molded onto the sponge. The sponge is retained in a closed position against the lower surface of the main body by ratchet teeth engaged in notches of a respective notched collar to overcome a force of downward force compression springs. When the respective button attached to a respective tooth is pressed down to overcome a biasing spring force which caused the teeth to be engaged with the notches, the downward spring force of the force compression springs cause the sponge to move away from the main body so that the dirty sponge falls away into a trash receptacle without requiring a user to handle the dirty sponge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred I. Morad, William P. Camp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8689389
    Abstract: A connecting unit for a flat wiper blade is provided. The connecting unit separably connects the flat wiper blade to a wiper arm having one of the following: a first coupling element including a top plate and a pair of side plates having a concave portion at a rear end; a second coupling element including a top plate and a pair of side plates; and a third coupling element including a side pin and a clip arm. The connecting unit has a bracket fixed to a frame of the flat wiper blade and an adaptor. The adaptor is pivotally mounted on the bracket via a pivot shaft of the bracket. The adaptor has first to third fixing devices separably fixing the adaptor to the first to third coupling elements respectively. The flat wiper blade is connected to the wiper arms via the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Korea Development Bank
    Inventors: In Kyu Kim, Kyung Jong Nam
  • Patent number: 8689390
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wiper device provided with a metal frame member (16), which includes a cylindrical receiving portion (26), and a pivot holder (18), which is fixed to the metal frame member (16) and holds a pivot shaft (12). The pivot holder (18) includes holder cylindrical portions (34, 104), which rotationally support the pivot shaft (12), vehicle body attachment legs (38, 108), which extend radially outward from the holder cylindrical parts (34, 104) and are attached to a vehicle body, and fitting portions (40B, 110B), which are securely fitted to the receiving part (26) by inserting the fitting portions (40B, 110B) in the receiving portion (26) and swaging the receiving portion (26). The pivot holder (18) is formed as an integrated component by a metal part and a plastic part (32), which is lighter than the metal part and is integrated with the metal part. At least an outer circumferential portion of the engaged parts (40B, 110B) is formed by the metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Motono, Shingo Ohno, Shunsaku Ohta, Yoshiyuki Kuomo
  • Patent number: 8689391
    Abstract: A mop press for wringing liquids out of a cleaning device includes a housing having a fastening mechanism; a lever-actuated wringing device disposed in the housing; and a support device disposed on the housing at a horizontal distance from the fastening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Andreas Eisenhut, Markus Rueckheim, Juergen Huckele, Jens Deerberg
  • Patent number: 8689392
    Abstract: [Object] An object is to easily suction dust/dirt on a cleaning portion of a mop as need arises without scattering the dust/dirt adhering to the mop when cleaning a floor with a vacuum cleaner while cleaning with the mop. [Solution] A mopstick (4) is inserted through an opening (13) on a cylindrical cleaning unit (6) of a mop dust suction device (3), which includes a hose coupling unit (7) detachably attached to a connection portion of a hose of a vacuum cleaner; a cleaning portion (5) of the mop is drawn into the cylindrical cleaning unit (6); the cleaning portion (5) of the mop is rotated in an arrow (B12) direction while the cleaning portion (5) of the mop is moved repeatedly in an arrow (A11) direction; and the dust/dirt adhering to the mop is easily suctioned and removed by suction force of a vacuum cleaner main body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Keiichi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8689393
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a collector of a solar thermal electric power generation system is provided which does not need to secure any water source or the like and which improves the flexibility of selection of a place for installing the solar thermal electric power generation system. The cleaning device includes an air supply device and an air nozzle configured to blow air supplied from the air supply device, which are mounted on a self-propelled truck. The cleaning device is capable of blowing air blown from the air nozzle against a sunlight reflecting surface of a collector to clean up the sunlight reflecting surface. The air nozzle is configured to be capable of moving up and down. The cleaning device further includes a soiling degree measuring device for measuring soiling degrees of the sunlight reflecting surface before and after air blowing by the air nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Ota
  • Patent number: 8689394
    Abstract: A washer-drier scrubbing machine includes a rotating roll brush the surface covered by spiked bristles facing upwards and towards the center near the front portion, and is covered by a casing which extends downwards and near the ground is provided with a “flap” having aligned openings oriented and facing the floor at the sides of the casing and facing the ground are sprayers fed with water-detergent mixtures pumped from a tank. Proximate the sprayers are arranged diffusers of compressed air which prevent the sprayed washing mixture from expanding outside the outline of the casing and being conveyed only towards the casing openings and towards a rotating brush and not beyond, on the track along which the machine proceeds the dirty water collected by the brush is sent to a tank through a separator which retains the high consistency dirt, and an intermediate container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Vittoria Bettuzzi
  • Patent number: 8689395
    Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet and a flexible suction hose. The surface cleaning apparatus main comprise a main body comprising a suction motor provided in the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly may be provided on the main body. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a flexible suction hose. The surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a suction hose wrap. The suction hose wrap may comprise a stand for the surface cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: G.B.D. Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 8689396
    Abstract: Mating connectors enable a vacuum cleaner section to be releasably attached to a toolbox section. The connectors include a downward-facing tongue that fits in a corresponding horizontal slot. The tongue has a vertical slot that corresponds with a vertical flange adjacent the slot. An interacting tab and slot prevent the vacuum cleaner section from being removed from the toolbox section when a closeable top on the toolbox section is closed. The two sections attach in a position in which upright side walls on the vacuum cleaner section align with the upright sides on the toolbox section, and an extended horizontal work surface is formed by portions of the hinged top on the toolbox section and the vacuum cleaner section. A handle on the vacuum cleaner section can form part of the horizontal work surface, which has parallel lateral grooves with co-linear segments on opposite sides of a recessed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Shop Vac Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin E. Wolfe, Robert Lent Crevling, Jr., Craig A. Seasholtz, Jason Gottschall, John Griffin
  • Patent number: 8689397
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner (1) comprising a housing (2) being separated in at least a dust compartment (4) and a motor compartment (6). The vacuum cleaner (1) also comprises a motor (7) located in the motor compartment (6) and an air guide (8) between the dust compartment (4) and the motor (7). The motor (7) is suspended in the motor compartment (6) by a suspension system comprising at least one spring (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Egbert Van De Veen, Fokke Voorhorst, Jeroen Herrewijnen, Gijs Janssens, Lodewijk Anthonie Rijfkogel
  • Patent number: 8689398
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus and detecting method thereof. The cleaning apparatus includes a fan, a motor, a detecting device and a control unit. The motor drives the fan to create an air flow through the cleaning apparatus. The detecting device is electrically connected to the motor, and is utilized detected an impedance of the motor. The control unit is electrically connected to the motor and the detecting device respectively, for comparing the impedance of the motor with a predetermined value and outputting a signal indicative of a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Liang Chung, Tung-Chuan Wu, Chun-Chieh Wang, Long-Der Chen
  • Patent number: 8689399
    Abstract: A floor cleaner including a nozzle and a handle assembly pivotably mounted to the nozzle. The handle assembly including a handle, a motor housing supporting a suction source in fluid communication with the nozzle, and a bag housing defining a filter cavity. A door is removably coupled to the handle assembly and includes a retainer configured to secure a filter bag including a bag aperture to the door such that the door and the retainer are removable from the handle assembly as an assembly. The retainer includes a retainer handle positioned above the bag aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Q. Liu, Mark E. Cipolla
  • Patent number: 8689400
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a main body, a dust-collecting unit mounted in the main body, a suction force generating unit mounted in the main body, a first filter unit disposed upstream from the suction force generating unit, and a second filter unit disposed downstream from the suction force generating unit, wherein the first filter unit and the second filter unit are disposed adjacent to each other, and are individually, detachably mounted in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8689401
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a dirt cup assembly including a first stage cyclonic separator operable to at least partially separate debris from an airflow, a second stage cyclonic separator downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator and operable to at least partially separate the debris from the airflow, a container having a sidewall that at least partially defines the first stage cyclonic separator, and a shroud having a lower perforated portion located within the container, and an upper portion that surrounds and receives the second stage cyclonic separator. The upper portion is located outside of the first container such that the upper portion forms an outside wall of the dirt cup above the sidewall of the container. The shroud further includes an intermediate portion between the lower portion and the upper portion, and the intermediate portion is coupled to the sidewall of the first container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sergey V. Makarov, Raymond P. Kawolics, Christopher M. Charlton
  • Patent number: 8689402
    Abstract: A furniture hinge includes at least one control cam and at least one spring. The control cam moves along on the spring in order to produce a closing force and/or opening force. A sliding element is attached to the spring and/or to the control cam. The control cam or the spring moves along on the sliding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Brunnmayr
  • Patent number: 8689403
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door hinge, having a pillar fitting able to be mounted on a vehicle body, and a door fitting able to be mounted on a motor vehicle door, which are connected to each other in an articulated manner by a hinge pin connected to either the pillar fitting or the door fitting in a rotation-resistant manner and to the remaining one of the pillar fitting or the door fitting in an articulated manner, and an arresting unit having a detent body carrier connected to the hinge pin in a rotation-resistant manner and radially extending to the latter and having a detent body, and a detent element adjustable on the other one of the pillar fitting or the door fitting with respect to the detent body carrier, coaxially arranged with respect to the hinge pin axis and in engagement with the detent body and including at least one detent notch, and arranged within a housing surrounding the hinge pin and the detent body carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Metalsa Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Jakob Löwen
  • Patent number: 8689404
    Abstract: A rotary shaft structure is provided with rotational and locating functions based on a compact request condition. The rotary shaft structure includes a combination of a shaft body and a braking device, in which the braking device includes a first end provided with a limiting portion and a second end provided with an assembling portion, thereby preventing an axial displacement of a rotary shaft. The shaft body corresponding to the first end of the braking device and the limiting portion thereof includes a base portion and at least one braking portion formed on the base portion, in which a locating function is formed when an interference state of the limiting portion of the braking device and the braking portion of the shaft body is formed, thereby improving the conditions of assembly and fitting difficulties, complication and time-consuming process in conventional skills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: First Dome Corporation
    Inventor: An Szu Hsu
  • Patent number: 8689405
    Abstract: A biaxial pivoting mechanism includes a supporter disposed on a first module, a base connected to the supporter, a rotating component disposed between the supporter and the base. A track is formed on a lateral wall inside the base. The rotating component includes a shaft portion pivoting to the supporter, and a sheathing portion connected to the shaft portion. A hole is formed on the sheathing portion. The sheathing portion pivots to the supporter via the shaft portion for accommodating inside the accommodating space. The biaxial pivoting mechanism further includes a sleeve movably disposed inside the hole. The sleeve includes a protruding portion. The sleeve is rotated relative to the rotating portion by sliding the protruding portion along the track. The biaxial pivoting mechanism further includes a holder disposed on the sleeve for holding a second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Jen Yu
  • Patent number: 8689406
    Abstract: The clamping band has a simple structure and is capable of preventing crush of an engaging claw and buckle of an inner band part, which are caused when an outer band part and the inner band part are moved close to each other to reduce an inner diameter of a band section. In the clamping band, an overriding guide is formed between the engaging claw and a second tool-catching claw of the inner band part. The overriding guide is outwardly projected to radially outwardly guide an outer end of the outer band part when the engaging claw is moved to an engage hole from a temporary engage hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Mihama
    Inventor: Naoki Ito
  • Patent number: 8689407
    Abstract: A hose clamp includes: a clamp body having a plurality of screw holes passing therethrough; a coupling housing disposed at one side of the clamp body and into which an opposite side of the clamp body is inserted; and a coupling screw rotatably disposed in the coupling housing and engaged with the screw holes of the clamp body inserted within the coupling housing, wherein the clamp body includes a compensating means including at least one compensation bead formed at one side of the clamp body for resiliently fastening a hose by a degree by which a diameter of the hose is decreased so as to firmly tighten the hose. The hose clamp can prevent the compensation means from being deformed over the resilient area, so that the compensation means is not deformed over the resilient area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Dong-A Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung Hoon Kim, Cheong Yong Cho, Kyu Dong Park, Jin Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8689408
    Abstract: A continuous-coil type waterproof slide fastener includes two support tapes each having opposing first face and second face, two rows of coupling elements respectively formed of a continuous length of monofilament and respectively secured to along the inner longitudinal edge of the second face of each of the two support tapes, a high polymer elastic member bonded to the vertical wall of the inner longitudinal edge of each support tape and transversely extending from the vertical wall of the inner longitudinal edge to a predetermined distance, each high polymer elastic member further having a covering portion on the inner longitudinal edge of the second face of the associating support tape and a filling portion penetrates into inner chinks in the associating row of coupling elements, and a fluid impervious film covered at least on the first face of each support tape and the associating high polymer elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Chao-Mu Chou, Shiu-Yin Cheng
  • Patent number: 8689409
    Abstract: A fastener for mounting a panel to a supporting structure includes a fastener part having a base with an upper and lower side. A connector is adapted to engage with another fastener part projecting from the upper side of the base. The lower side of the base is adapted to be adhesively connected to a substrate and incorporating a surface configuration that promotes a mechanical connection with an adhesive. The lower side surface configuration includes a protrusion extending from the base to a crown. The protrusion includes an undercut portion configured to form a mechanical connection with the adhesive. In use adhesive fills between the protrusions and forms a mechanical connection with the undercut portions when hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fastmount Limited
    Inventors: Ronald Charles Hanley, Gregory John Kelly
  • Patent number: 8689410
    Abstract: A tongue (200, 400) for an inflatable belt restraint system, the tongue comprising: a narrow cylindrical hollow tube (204a, 204b) comprising a first formed member and a second formed member joined together along respective mating edges of the first and second formed members and two mating portions (202a and 202b) forming the looped portion of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Arnold, Michael J. Moore, Bayard C. Temple
  • Patent number: 8689411
    Abstract: A combination casket and casket display comprises a reduced height casket shell adapted to receive the remains of a deceased and having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and a bottom wall, the side walls and end walls having lower edges, the bottom wall extending below the lower edges of the side walls and end walls, a casket lid closable on the reduced height casket shell, and a casket display base having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, the side walls and end walls having upper edges. The reduced height casket shell is supported by the casket display base such that the lower edges of the side walls and end walls of the reduced height casket shell are at about the same height as the upper edges of the side walls and end walls of the casket display base, and the bottom wall of the reduced height casket shell extends below the upper edges of the side walls and end walls of the casket display base so as to nest within the casket display base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Edward Drew, Daniel G. Meiser, Ilija Rojdev
  • Patent number: 8689412
    Abstract: An apparatus including a mounting platform, wherein the mounting platform includes a substantially planar mounting surface; a clamping mechanism on the mounting surface; a memorial item retained by the clamping mechanism; and an arrangement of handles on a side of the mounting platform, wherein the side is substantially normal to the plane of the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Dawson R. Grover
  • Patent number: 8689413
    Abstract: A flame resistant fabric with better tear strength and specifically a flame resistant fabric with tear strength flame resistant 100% cotton yarn are provided. The 100% cotton yarn is produced using a combination of compact spinning technology and gassing and/or singeing process performed in tandem, the yarn is weaved into fabric by pre-established process and the fabric is flame retardant finished by using chemicals and lubricants by pre-established process to form the flame resistant fabric with better tear strength. Also, a method of manufacturing the flame resistant cotton fabric that has a better tear strength after fire resistant treatments provided. Advantageously, the flame resistant fabric is affordable, light weight and has better tensile and tear strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Manikam Ramaswami
  • Patent number: 8689414
    Abstract: Crimp-imbalanced protective fabric is accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within and across a layer or layers of a multi-layer fabric armor system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fiber layer) by pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a layer or layered to produce a soft armor form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Paul V. Cavallaro
  • Patent number: 8689415
    Abstract: In an exemplary method for manufacturing a piezoelectric device, a lid wafer, a piezoelectric wafer, and a base wafer are prepared. Each wafer defines multiple lids, multiple piezoelectric vibrating pieces, and multiple bases, respectively. The piezoelectric vibrating pieces comprise respective first and second electrodes, and the base wafer is made of glass. The bases comprise respective first and second metal wires extending therethrough, each wire having a respective end and a respective side surface at the end that protrudes at least partially from the first surface. A wafer sandwich is formed with the three wafers co-aligned with each other, with the protruding ends of the wires contacting respective first and second electrodes. The layers are anodic bonded together, which also bonds the protruding ends of the first and second wires to the respective first and second electrodes. The bonded wafer sandwich is cut into separate individual piezoelectric devices thus formed in the sandwich from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Ono, Takahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8689416
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surface acoustic wave element that prevents curvature of a piezoelectric substrate when forming an electrode pattern includes a first step of bonding to a first principal surface of a piezoelectric substrate a support member having a linear expansion coefficient lower than a linear expansion coefficient of the piezoelectric substrate to form a composite substrate, a second step of forming a plurality of grooves in the support member of the composite substrate from a surface that is opposite to a bonding interface between the support member and the piezoelectric substrate, a third step of forming electrode patterns including at least one IDT electrode on a second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate of the composite substrate, and a fourth step of dividing the composite substrate on which the electrode patterns are formed to form individual surface acoustic wave elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ryu, Masashi Omura
  • Patent number: 8689417
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing a precision laser adjustable (e.g., trimmable) thin film capacitor array. A plurality of individual capacitors are formed on a common substrate and connected together in parallel by way of fusible links. The individual capacitors are provided as laddered capacitance value capacitors such that a plurality of lower valued capacitors corresponding to the lower steps of the ladder, and lesser numbers of capacitors, including a single capacitor, for successive steps of the ladder, are provided. Precision capacitance values can be achieved by either of fusing or ablating selected of the fusible links so as to remove the selected subcomponents from the parallel connection. In-situ live-trimming of selected fusible links may be performed after placement of the capacitor array on a hosting printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Christian, Gheorghe Korony
  • Patent number: 8689418
    Abstract: Instead of a conventional slide arrangement Z/X/Y and a B-axis that is pivotable thereon, a more compact and less complex configuration is achieved in that a tool support that is pivotable about the B-axis is directly placed onto the X-slide and only a single rotationally drivable tool spindle is additionally movable in Y-direction in this pivotable tool support, whereas all other tool receivers for stationary tools are fixated at the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mag IAS GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Martens, Sieghard Kälber Er
  • Patent number: 8689419
    Abstract: A rivet gun has a barrel, a handle, a pneumatic cylinder and a two-step pressing assembly. The handle has a valve-mounting hole, a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole being cylindrical and defined in a bottom end of the handle. The pneumatic cylinder has an inlet bushing, an inner bushing and a control valve assembly respectively mounted in the aforementioned holes. The two-step pressing assembly is mounted on the handle and allows the rivet gun to be operated by two steps. The handle is structurally simple and has a low manufacturing cost. The bushings and control valve assembly are easily mounted in and detached from the handle so that assembling of the rivet gun is efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 8689420
    Abstract: A wheel stud installing and removing system includes a C-frame; a forcing screw configured to communicate with the C-frame to move laterally through the C-frame; a swivel mounted on an end on the forcing screw; an adapter receiver mounted on an opposite end of the C-frame from the forcing screw, and configured to receive at least one of either a stud installing adapter and a stud removing adapter. A method of moving a stud includes: inserting one of either an installing adapter or a removing adapter into an adapter receiver on a C-frame; aligning a longitudinal axis of the adapter with a longitudinal axis of the stud; aligning the longitudinal axis of the stud with a longitudinal axis of a forcing screw; and turning the forcing screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jose O. Barrios, John Nicholas Lindberg
  • Patent number: 8689421
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of designing disc brake pads. The method includes the step of developing a finite element model of a precursor brake pad design using dimensional and material property information of its backing plate and friction pad to perform a normal mode analysis of the precursor brake pad design. The method proceeds with the step of performing the normal mode analysis using the finite element model to determine whether there is an area on the friction surface having an excitation amplitude that is greater than a threshold value of amplitude. If an area having an excitation amplitude greater than the threshold value is determined, the precursor brake pad design is modified to provide a brake pad design having a relieved portion in the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Weiming Liu, Rodney G. Silvey, Jason Heath Mahan
  • Patent number: 8689422
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly for a small form factor computer includes a number of keys and associated electrical contacts positioned between the top case portion of the computer and the feature plate. The attachment of the keyboard assembly during the manufacturing process can be accelerated by welding securing fasteners through small holes in the feature plate directly to the top case portion of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: John Raff
  • Patent number: 8689423
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing fluid turbulence in a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes the steps of urging an elongate roll of liner material along a bore region provided by an inner surface of an innermost layer of a flexible pipe body, and at least partially unfurling the roll of liner material thereby extending the roll of liner material radially outwardly in the bore region into an abutting relationship against the inner surface of the carcass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wellstream International Limited
    Inventors: George Karabelas, Laurence James Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8689424
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to a shipping container forming a rectangular box shape, comprising a pair of side walls, a front wall and a rear wall coupled to the pair of side walls, a top wall coupled to the side walls and the rear walls, a bottom wall coupled to the side walls and the rear walls. The side walls, the front wall, the rear wall and the top wall form top corners. The sides walls, the front wall, the rear wall and the bottom wall form bottom corners. The shipping container further comprises a set of top corner fitting elements disposed at the top corners of the shipping container, each top corner fitting element having an outer aperture, and a set of bottom corner fitting elements disposed at the bottom corners of the shipping container, each bottom corner fitting element having an outer aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: APL Limited
    Inventor: Teow Hua Lee
  • Patent number: 8689425
    Abstract: A humeral head augment device for use in a modular shoulder prosthesis. The humeral head augment device has an external bearing surface with at least one surface portion that includes a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature is configured to constrain translational movement of the implanted shoulder prosthesis when the humeral head augment device is positioned within the shoulder prosthesis. The humeral head augment device also includes a coupling mechanism designed to lock the humeral head augment device to either the stem or the humeral head, thereby ensuring proper operational positioning of the device within the shoulder prosthesis and allowing the implanted shoulder prosthesis to function in a patient suffering from rotator cuff arthropathy. A shoulder prosthesis using a humeral head augment device, a method for assembling a shoulder prosthesis and method for using a humeral head augment device in a shoulder prosthesis are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tornier, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin W. Mutchler, R. Sean Churchill
  • Patent number: 8689426
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include, for example, obtaining a mechanical resonating structure comprising a compensating structure, where the compensating structure comprises one or more materials having an adaptive stiffness that reduces a variance in a resonating frequency of the mechanical resonating structure (f0), and adjusting at least one of a value of f0 of the obtained mechanical resonating structure or a value of a temperature for which temperature coefficient of frequency of the obtained mechanical resonating structure is approximately zero (T0) by altering a thickness of at least one targetable material of the mechanical resonating structure. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sand 9, Inc.
    Inventors: Florian Thalmayr, Jan H. Kuypers, Klaus Juergen Schoepf
  • Patent number: 8689427
    Abstract: A stator for an electric motor has a stator core, a winding and a housing enclosing the stator core and winding. The stator core has a yoke and a plurality of poles extending inwardly from the yoke. The winding formed by coils wound about the poles of the stator core. The housing grips the stator core and has at least one inwardly deformed portion that retains the stator core in the housing and prevents rotational movement of the stator core relative to the housing. A method of producing the stator is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Yvan Bourqui, Miha Furlan, Michael Watzek, David Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8689428
    Abstract: A method for manufacture of an electronic interface card including defining a pair of apertures in a substrate layer, associating an antenna with the substrate layer such that opposite ends of the antenna terminate at the apertures, placing a conductor in each of the apertures, connecting the antenna to the conductor, forming a recess in the substrate layer, attaching continuous connection wires to a plurality of chip modules, attaching the continuous connection wires to a plurality of conductors on a corresponding plurality of the substrate layers, cutting the continuous connection wires so as to retain portions thereof which connect each chip module to a corresponding pair of conductors and sealing the chip module in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Smartrac IP B.V.
    Inventors: Oded Bashan, Guy Shafran
  • Patent number: 8689429
    Abstract: A method of reworking a head suspension removes a slider from the head suspension by pressing a blade from a first side toward a second side in a longitudinal direction of the slider to solder ball bonding, stopping the second side of the slider in the longitudinal direction with a holding mechanism, and forcing the blade to bite and cut the solder ball bonding to remove the slider from the flexure. The solder ball bonding is cut without applying extra force to components of the head suspension except the slider. The method improves product yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sei Kawao, Takeshi Shimoda, Shinpei Kakiuchi
  • Patent number: 8689430
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head are disclosed. A PMR pole having a bottom and a top wider than the bottom is provided. The PMR pole may be formed by depositing a PMR pole layer, then removing part of the PMR pole layer, leaving the PMR pole. The PMR pole may also be provided by forming a trench having the desired profile in a photoresist layer, depositing the PMR pole layer, then removing the photoresist layer, leaving the PMR pole in the location of the trench. A side gap is deposited over the PMR pole. A side shield is provided on the side gap. A planarization that removes part of the side shield on the PMR pole is performed. A top gap is provided on the PMR pole, substantially covering the entire PMR pole. A top shield is provided on the top gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Yingjian Chen, Kyusik Sin
  • Patent number: 8689431
    Abstract: An apparatus for the connection of articles via at least one connection element plasticizable by heat includes a heatable cap, which is movable toward and away from the connection element and which has a shaft, for the forming of a rivet head at the connection element and having means for the direct heating of the cap. In this respect, the means for the direct heating of the cap include at least one ceramic heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Spaichingen GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Prirsch
  • Patent number: 8689432
    Abstract: Modular amine plants and methods of installing modular amine plants are provided. The method includes providing to a site a modular amine plant having a front-end module and a back-end module in fluid communication with each other. The front-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of various equipment including: a filter, an absorption tower, and a flash tank. The back-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of other various equipment including: a heat exchanger, a distillation tower, and a reboiler. The modular amine plant having moment forces sufficient to withstand wind speeds of about 100 miles per hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: CDM Resource Management LLC
    Inventors: Glen Wind, John Kenton Thompson, Lance Perryman
  • Patent number: 8689433
    Abstract: An electric screwdriver is coupled to an automatic screw feeding adaptor defining a screw path having a proximal end, a middle region and a distal end. A first screw is received within the screw feeding adaptor and held at a driving position near the distal end of the screw path by applying a distal partial vacuum within the screw feeding adaptor. The first screw is driven, and a torque applied to the first screw is detected. The torque is compared to a minimum torque threshold, and a second screw is moved along the screw path based at least in part upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kooi Hoe Choong
  • Patent number: 8689434
    Abstract: An ICs modeling manufacturing procedure is disclosed. A first pattern is printed on a first surface of a printed circuit board (PCB). The first pattern includes a first barcode and a plurality of production codes. A plurality of elements are disposed on the first surface of the PCB. The PCB is heated to fix the elements on the first surface and secure the first pattern on the first surface of the PCB. When the first pattern is read, a first production information is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 8689435
    Abstract: A mounting system including: a storage that stores plural formats for each substrate including divisional information of a mounting apparatus indicating which of plural mounting apparatuses that divisionally mount plural electronic components on a substrate mounts what electronic component on the substrate and information on a deviation amount of an electronic component indicating how much each of the electronic components mounted on the substrate and inspected by an inspection apparatus is deviated from its regular position; and a controller that changes, according to a change of an assignment of mounting, the divisional information in a format corresponding to the substrate for which the assignment has been changed, and controls the mounting apparatus that has mounted the electronic component and has been specified from the mounting apparatuses to mount the electronic component on the substrate after correcting a deviation amount based on the information on a deviation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Nishida
  • Patent number: 8689436
    Abstract: An align fixture for aligning an electronic component having a receptacle adapted to receive the electronic component and having a first abutting section and a second abutting section, the align fixture further having a first elastic unit and a second elastic unit, the first abutting section is flexibly mounted via the first elastic unit, and the second abutting section is flexibly mounted via the second elastic unit, and the first abutting section and the second abutting section are together adapted to floatingly engage the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Multitest Elektronische Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hofmann, Helmut Scheibenzuber
  • Patent number: 8689437
    Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit assembly comprises forming first solder bumps on a first die, and forming a first structure comprising the first die, the first solder bumps, a first flux, and a first substratum. The first die is placed upon the first substratum. The first solder bumps are between the first die and the first substratum. The first flux holds the first die substantially flat and onto the first substratum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, David Hirsch Danovitch, Mario John Interrante, John Ulrich Knickerbocker, Michael Jay Shapiro, Van Thanh Truong